Clerical Jobs at Federal Employers
Apart from offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits, federal positions offer the chance to make a difference which many workers consider to be an attractive feature. They also enjoy the security of employment.
To land a federal job, applicants should create resumes that are compatible with the qualifications listed in the specific job announcement. To do this highlight your work, volunteer, and academic experience which will help you improve your capabilities.
Blue-collar
The federal government employs an array of employees. They perform a broad range of tasks that help the government operate and provide services to citizens. The government organizes its employees into groups based on their job duties, which includes technical, professional and administrative occupations.
Blue-collar jobs typically involve the most manual labor than white-collar positions. Some jobs require a degree or certification from a vocational school. A lot of these jobs require specialized knowledge and use heavy machinery. Blue-collar employees may also have to be exposed to dangerous animals or other materials. The term "blue collar" has been historically associated with employees with lower incomes and is used to describe their positions to those held by white-collar professionals.
Traditionally blue-collar workers have been employed in industries like construction, manufacturing and mining. They usually work outside and wear blue overalls or jeans to cover dirt. They also have to be able to stand for extended periods of time. They are generally paid hourly, whereas their white-collar counterparts receive annual salaries.
The federal government uses several different methods to classify employees and determine their salaries as well as the federal pay-grade system. Each job is assigned an appropriate pay grade, based on the requirements and duties for the job. Federal employees are eligible to receive "step increases" every 1 to 3 years, which result in a small bump in salary.
Pophal says that while some people choose to work for the government due to the security and benefits, the massive size of the federal bureaucracy may pose challenges for certain. A shaky budget can make these challenges even more difficult.
Clerical
Clerical employees handle day-to-day office tasks that ensure businesses are running smoothly. Answering the phone, filing documents and entering data are all a part of their duties. They also assist in scheduling appointments and processing information requests. They are therefore essential in almost every sector.
In general, clerical jobs are entry-level positions. Candidates might be required to attend short training courses that introduce them to basic office procedures and equipment. This includes learning to use a PC as well as other relevant software. Certain clerical employees also have to undergo a security check to ensure they're not a threat to national security.
In general, clerical workers have little to no authority to supervise. They must follow the directions of a more senior employee. However, some clerical positions offer opportunities to advance to administrative roles such as executive assistants or secretaries. Other positions, like those at financial institutions or insurance agencies are more likely to be managerial in nature.
Although fela railroad settlements is typically thought of as entry-level work, candidates for these positions must be detail-oriented. They must be able quickly scan resumes and spot any inconsistencies or errors. They should then be able to explain these details in greater detail. Certain clerical workers must know how to use databases at work or manage them. Certain clerical employees may be required to travel or manage the mail.
Many clerical employees are employed in a variety of industries. They are employed in the health care industry, finance, or human resources. They are able to manage payroll accounting and tax documentation as well as assist managers in making hiring and firing decisions. Certain clerical employees are entitled to additional benefits, in addition to the benefits offered by their employers.
Administrative
The federal government provides its employees a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Benefits include retirement plans, health insurance and life insurance. The agencies also allow their employees to take annual and sick leave as needed. Employees are able to use their accrued annual and sick leave for themselves and family members. However, the amount of time taken is contingent on the length of time in service.
Administrative employees are not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) provisions on overtime pay and minimum wage. However they must be compensated at the minimum rate of pay for hours working more than 40 hours per week. These employees are able to perform work directly related to the management or general business operation of the company's clients or customers and provide advice or providing consulting services. This includes accounting, tax and auditing work as along with support for information technology and computer activities such as administration of databases, data management security management, web-based customer support.
Certain federal employees in the administrative sector are eligible for a range of flexible work schedule options such as part-time and job sharing. These arrangements enable employees to adjust their work schedule to suit their professional and personal needs. Federal employees also receive holiday pay. In addition, employees can carry over up to 30 days of leave or vacation time from one year to the next.
In the event of a health crisis that is pandemic, administrative managers are critical in ensuring that an agency can achieve its goals. This document can be utilized by managers to get an overview of what to do in the event of a crisis. It outlines the information that should be communicated to employees and what procedures are in place for closing or dismissal outside of Washington DC.
Professional
In offices all over the country The federal government employs individuals with a variety of professional skills. A majority of these jobs require a thorough background check, drug test and security clearance. The Federal Government pays well and offers excellent benefits to its employees, including low-cost insurance policies as well as generous vacation and sick leave as well as flexible working hours. It also offers a retirement package with defined benefit pensions, which is rare for private sector employers.
Most professional and technical jobs in the Federal Government are paid on the General Schedule pay scale, that has 15 grades ranging from GS-1 through GS-15 and 10 steps within each grade. The highest-level positions in the Federal Government are in the Senior Executive Service.
Federal agencies may promote or demote, or reassign career or career conditional employees under a variety of circumstances. They may also grant temporary promotions to finish projects work, fill temporary vacancies, or to meet other requirements that are temporary. Promotions to higher pay grades are usually processed via a career ladder or merit-based promotions.
Like many organizations, the Federal Government has its challenges. Insufficient funding is a frequent issue which could limit the capacity of an agency to improve equipment or promote the development of new ideas. Another challenge is the bureaucratic nature of Federal Government, which can result in lengthy and frustrating delays in processing paperwork and hiring new employees. Finally, the vastness of the Federal Government can be intimidating for new employees. Employees must be prepared to spend a significant amount of time navigating complex administrative procedures and learning how to navigate the various departments and offices.
Technical
Federal agencies are seeking tech talent. In fact, applications per job on Handshake have increased 5x for federal tech roles from the beginning of 2023. If you're a student at college or recent graduate with strong technical skills working for the federal government might be the best move. One of the biggest draws for many federal employees is the chance to "serve" people by using their technical knowledge to serve our nation. Many federal employees describe this as a new way of looking at work.
Many who are looking to work for the government are also attracted by its stability competitive compensation packages and benefits. According to the Partnership for Public Service (PPS) federal employees are more secure in their job and enjoy generous vacation, personal and sick leave policies than private sector employers. Additionally the federal government is a pioneer in implementing innovative workplace practices such as telework, which has become an increasingly popular option for a small number of employees.
The federal workforce is less than the majority of US industry workers, but larger than some industries, such as mining and utilities. It is comparable in size to the information (publishing, broadcasting and telecommunications) industry which employs close to 3 million people.
The federal government is currently testing new methods to simplify and make the hiring process more accessible to tech professionals. This includes launching a brand new searchable online catalog of tech-related positions within every agency, and expanding the use of expert assessments on subject matter to qualify groups of talented candidates and prequalify them for specific positions. This will result in a more efficient, equitable and faster hiring process for both the agency and its stakeholders.